Indians should play their own style of hockey: Charlesworth

Published: Thursday, May 22, 2008, 18:14 [IST]

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Chandigarh, MAY 22 (UNI) After a successful stint in the Azlan Shah hockey Tournament, team's technical adviser Ric Charlesworth today advised that the Indians need to follow the game that their legends of past have successfully played for years and should not switch over to the European style.

However, he also asserted that they have to increase strength to achieve it.

Talking to UNI after reviewing the selection of 16 boys (9-10 years) for the State-run Chandigarh Hockey Academy, Charlesworth warned that the India should not be carried away with the Ipoh performance where India finished runners-up to Argentina by a golden goal in the recently concluded Azlan Shah Hockey Cup.

Analysing India's performance, he said ''The team has good hockey players. However, there are many many more things which are not in order. We will be making our assessment. Playing more hockey (competitions) will be better.'' ''Lack of consistency was one of the weakness in the Indian team. They were erratic. They were also tired after coming from Australia. Still they do not deserve to lose to New Zealand by 3-4 after two goals up. The players must be backed up physio and psychologist,'' said Charlesworth.

Charlesworth was at pains when he pointed out that ''there was no video support at the Sultan Alzan Shah. Video recording of the Indian matches was done with by my family video camera.'' About future plans of the Indian hockey, he said, ''There is a need to provide leadership to the Indian hockey -- both men and women. They should all work under proper system to boost the Indian hockey.'' UNI XC RKM ND1650